OECD: Teachers are leaving the profession before retirement, alarm raised for the education system

Education systems in several countries, including Albania, are facing a wave of teachers leaving the profession before reaching retirement age. According to OECD data, a significant number of teachers plan to leave teaching within the next five years, even though they are not yet close to retirement.

“They are willing to work in jobs that not only provide income but also offer a higher pension. The opportunity is to find alternatives either within or outside the country, in roles that require qualifications they already possess,” said Ndriçim Mehmeti, an education expert.

In Albania, Malta, Morocco, North Macedonia, Romania, and Uzbekistan, the percentage of male teachers planning to leave the profession is more than 5 percentage points higher compared to female teachers.

“There have always been more female teachers. The issue is that they feel excluded from education, not because of the profession itself, but because of how they are treated,” the expert added.

According to the report, the main reasons for leaving are low job satisfaction, difficult teaching conditions, lack of professional development opportunities, and the weak social status of the teaching profession.

Experts warn that if this trend continues, affected countries may face teacher shortages, increased workloads for existing staff, and serious challenges in ensuring the quality of education.

“KORÇA BOOM”